The Congress in Karnataka got a shot in the arm with former state minister and JD-S leader Iqbal Ansari joining the party on Tuesday.
Welcoming him into the party fold, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president R V Deshpande said Ansari had "earned a good name as a minister and worked for the welfare of minorities and youth in his district."
He expressed confidence that Ansari, who hails from Koppal district, would work towards strengthening the party in north Karnataka.
Meanwhile, Ansari said he joined Congress of his own volition as he felt "it was better to join a party that needed him rather than be in a party where he was not required".
"I served the JD-S to the best of my ability and even JDS chief H D Deve Gowda and state unit president H D Kumaraswamy recognised my work. But a recent statement made by Gowda that if I left the party, it would not make any difference, made me feel that I was no longer needed and, therefore, decided to join Congress where my presence is required," he said.
Along with Ansari, several of his followers, including 22 municipal councillors from Gangavathi and two from Kushtagi in Koppal District, joined the Congress.